When Corey and Emily Faucon brainstormed ideas for their new restaurant in Petersburg, the couple decided to name it after their most important role — being parents of their young son, Felix.
“One night, we were just talking, and I said, ‘You know what? We should just call [the restaurant] Mom and Pop’s, because that’s what we are. We are a mom and a pop,’” Emily recalls. “It just stuck, so we rolled with it.”
Mom + Pop’s, which opened in 2022, was certainly not the Faucon’s first venture into the restaurant business. Corey, a seasoned chef with a rich culinary background, brought a wealth of experience to the table. He discovered his love of cooking in high school, when he started working for Huddle House and Wendy’s in the Springfield area, and later went on to graduate from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago.
He further honed his skills working at restaurants in Colorado, New Mexico and Washington. He eventually found his way back to restaurants in Springfield, where he met Emily, who worked as a hairdresser and bartender at the time.
Together, the couple quit their jobs and opened their first restaurant, Long Nine Junction in downtown Springfield. “We went into it full force and didn’t really know what to expect, but it went well,” Emily says.
Despite the uncertainties, the quaint sandwich shop was a success. However, COVID-19 brought its challenges, and they had to pivot their business model to outdoor dining and online ordering. Even with these adjustments, they thrived during the pandemic, thanks to local support.
Amid the chaos of the pandemic, they discovered a new opportunity. During a drive to Petersburg, they stumbled upon an old Victorian home that was a bed and breakfast. They dreamed of opening a supper club in the house, planning to phase out Long Nine Junction. However, due to unforeseen issues, their plans changed. They were then approached by Broadgauge, a new restaurant in Petersburg, to join forces, which led them to officially close Long Nine Junction and embrace a new direction.
Transitioning from Springfield to Petersburg, the Faucons were unsure of what the future would hold. Yet, Emily says they were welcomed with open arms, so they decided to take another leap of faith and open a new eatery of their own. Their vision for a community-centered restaurant aligned with their new town. They aimed to create a place where people could enjoy homemade comfort food in an inviting setting.
Mom + Pop’s menu reflects the Faucon’s dedication to quality and local sourcing, and they take pride in making everything from scratch. One of their most popular dishes is their fried chicken, served with homemade mashed potatoes, green beans and freshly baked bread. Emily says they have customers who drive from St. Louis just for the fried chicken. While it is on the regular menu, the Wednesday dinner service is dedicated to a fried chicken buffet.
Their lunches are just as popular, with creative sandwiches and salads that incorporate local ingredients. While the restaurant has strong support of local regulars, Mom + Pop’s also has regulars from their former restaurant in Springfield, as well as throughout central Illinois.
The lunch menu varies by season and is based on the produce available in the area at the time. A current favorite is the Grain Bin Salad. Their homemade dressing is a honey and lime vinaigrette, which is tossed in a fresh spring mix. This is topped with vegetables, brown rice, fresh mozzarella and homemade granola. “It’s just something different,” Emily says. “People can add a protein to it if they want.”
The fresh baked goods also vary, depending on the day. While the brown butter chocolate chip and oatmeal cream pie cookies can be enjoyed regularly, other popular desserts, like the cinnamon swirl cookies topped with cream cheese icing and the rich, fudgy brownies, are available by chance. On Fridays, slices of cake are offered.
New to the restaurant is its dinner series, held every Friday night. For $20 a plate for adults and $10 for kids, patrons can get their fill of a cafeteria-style meal. With a different theme each week, past events have included a hog roast, lasagna, meatloaf, Mexican and Southwestern food. Emily says this has become a popular series that will likely continue.
This weekly event also gives Corey a chance to meet those enjoying his food as he helps serve meals to the line of customers. “No one really knows who Corey is since he’s always working in the back,” Emily laughs.
Emily says running Mom + Pop’s is truly a family affair, including the employees who have become like family. While the Faucons are hands-on in every aspect of the restaurant, from prepping and cooking to serving and managing the dining area, their small team of dedicated staff has been with them from the beginning, creating a family-like atmosphere that extends to their customers.
Reflecting on their journey, Emily feels fortunate to have found success in both Springfield and Petersburg. The move to a smaller town has brought the Faucons closer to a community, and they appreciate the encouragement they have received. “People are so supportive,” she notes. “Overall, it’s all about knowing who you’re serving and knowing who supports you.”
Mom + Pop’s
